Page 7 of Stolen Seconds

“Continue your futile attempts at getting me back and Roman might overlook that you’re my father.”

He slammed his fist on the desk, the sound echoing around us. “You are myheir!Youwilltake your rightfulposition as the leader of the Camorra. I won’t let our legacy die because of you, boy.”

His words fell on deaf ears. I had heard them before, and it became less and less effective over the years.

Setting my feet down on the marble floor, I stood. “For that to happen, you’d have to die first. And I long for that day, father.”

I was halfway across the room when his voice reached me.

“Think long and hard about the decision you’re making. Perhaps you’ve forgotten how valuable little Eva’s position is as my daughter.”

I clenched my fists, sensing that constant anger inside of me bubbling to the surface.

He was waiting for my reaction, and I wouldn’t—

“The offers have been tempting. They prefer their brides young and—”

It was a reflex. You talk about my sister in a disgusting manner, and I’m a madman seeing red.

I felt my knuckles tear as I pounded into my father’s face, the adrenaline of having him at my mercy exhilarating.

He didn’t fight back, only gave me a bloodied smile. “You’re exactly like me.”

“I’mnothinglike you,” I seethed as I raised my fist.

“Luca! Luca, stop it!”

The sound of Eva’s voice filtered through my murderous thoughts, halting my movements.

I peered over my shoulder and found her face blotchy as tears clung to her cheeks.

“Luca,” she whispered, her voice shaking along with her small frame. “Please, can we just go?”

My chest burned from breathing harshly as I came down from my high.

I turned and grabbed my father by the collar. “Use my sister to threaten me again and I’ll cut out your fucking tongue.”

He didn’t say anything as I released him, grabbed Eva, and walked out of the office.

“What offers?” Eva asked as I continued walking down the hall.

I ignored her, irritated that she’d been eavesdropping. It didn’t matter what our father said, I would never let her be wed to anyone from our world.

When I reached the main door, I stopped short and closed my eyes.

This was never easy, and I wished I could take her with me, but if she was with me, she’d be a liability, a weakness that many people would use against me. I couldn’t risk putting her in danger.

At least if she stayed at this house with our father, I knew she would be thoroughly guarded by security. And as a one man show, that wasn’t something I could provide her right now.

“You’re leaving?” she asked, her voice breaking. “After that?”

I nodded. Despite our father’s tasteless ways, no harm had come to Eva since I’d left.

“I hate you.”

Three words that had me turning to face her.

Her tears were flowing freely now as she regarded me with an expression that gutted me.

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